Deadly wildfires show Spain must better prepare for climate crises, says Sánchez

PM says wildfires are proof the emergency is getting worse, and that sustained non-partisan effort is needed

The wildfires that have devoured 373,000 hectares of land in Spain and killed four people underscore the need to “readjust and recalibrate” the country’s preparation and response capacities as part of a sustained, non-partisan effort to tackle the impacts of the climate emergency, the prime minister has warned.

Speaking during a visit to the south-western region of Extremadura on Tuesday, Pedro Sánchez said that while the record-breaking 16-day heatwave that had fanned the flames was over, “difficult hours” lay ahead as firefighters continue to battle huge blazes across north-west Spain.